2014 New Hanover County
Bond Referendum for Education
The Need
Facility Conditions
Facility Conditions
Quality schools are essential in a community that recognizes that its most precious resource is its children. The mission of New Hanover County Schools, in collaboration with our parents and the community, is to strive to provide an excellent education in a safe and positive learning environment where they are prepared with critical skills to reach their full potential for a world yet to be imagined. Appropriate, modern facilities supportive of today’s technology are an essential component of fulfilling this mission and meeting community expectations for students.
The need to renovate or replace obsolete facilities is ongoing. Decreased capital funding over the past several years has resulted in deferred maintenance, repairs and replacement of essential building systems and components. Major renovations are needed at schools that have not had any significant work since originally constructed an average of 30+ years ago.
Facility Needs
The first paragraph of G.S.115C-521 requires Local Boards of Education to submit their long-range plans for meeting school facility needs to the State Board of Education every five years. The last plan was submitted in 2010 - 2011.
This survey considers:
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Capacities and enrollment projects for each school
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Conditions for existing facilities
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Educational adequacy of existing facilities
The last Facility Needs survey was completed in 2010-11 and identified needs totaling:
$390,548,000.
Today with inflation and escalating construction costs,
those same needs are estimated to exceed $400 million.
Increased Enrollment
Increased Enrollment
Student enrollment is at an all time high of over 26,000, and the School System is over capacity by approximately 3,500 students in grades K-12. Enrollment has exceeded NCDPI projections for the past several years, and is expected to grow by another 3,000 students within the next seven years. Presently, students are meeting in crowded and inappropriate spaces such as cafeterias, hallways, stages, storage rooms, workrooms, and trailers. There are currently 84 trailers, some that date back to the 1960s, in use throughout our school district. Four more trailers have been purchased and will be installed this summer for use in the upcoming school year.
| Recent Growth in Enrollment | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2010-2011 SY | 24,805 students | |
| 2011-2012 SY | 25,001 students |
+196 students |
| 2012-2013 SY | 25,756 students | +755 students |
| 2013-2014 SY | 26,247 students | +491 students |
Funding
Annual Capital Funding
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Primarily for building upkeep and repair
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Includes State Lottery and County appropriation
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State ADM fund eliminated 2007-2008
Capital funds are budgeted each year as part of the annual capital budget process. These funds are used primarily for building upkeep and repair. Recent projects include roof replacement, HVAC equipment replacement, lighting and electrical improvements, and replacement of doors and hardware.
In 1987, the NC General Assembly established the Public School Building Capital Fund to assist county governments in meeting their public school building needs. During this time, capital funds received averaged $5 million per year, and peaked at just over $7 million in FY 2006-07. However, the Public School Building Capital Fund was eliminated in 2008, two years after the inception of the NC Education Lottery. This, along with the downturn in the economy, resulted in the lowest levels of capital funding from FY 2007-08 through FY 2012-13. Recently, New Hanover County has begun to restore capital funding to the schools and hopes to continue this in the future.
Education Lottery
Lottery funds provided each year represent only about 4% of what the state spends on education annually. The lottery helps fund teachers’ salaries, school construction, pre-kindergarten, college scholarships, and financial aid grants. However, since the inception of the lottery in 2006, other funds that were once received were eliminated or reduced, resulting in no net increase. Today the only new funding provided by the lottery are scholarships and financial aid.
The Plan
List of Projects
New Hanover County Schools has identified the most critical needs based on the 2010-2011 Facility Needs Survey, and included them in the 2014 Bond Referendum for Education. The projects include:
- New Porters Neck Elementary School
- College Park Elementary School replacement
- Blair Elementary School replacement
- Laney High School additions and renovations
- Hoggard High School additions and renovations
- New Hanover High School Geo. West Building renovations
- Roland-Grise Middle School renovations
- Noble Middle School renovations
- Trask Middle School renovations
- Myrtle Grove Middle School renovations
- Wrightsville Beach Elementary additions and renovations
Cost of Projects
New Hanover County Schools
2014 Bond Program
June 2, 2014
| Project Name | Total Project Cost |
Total Project Cost Incl. Fees/Cont. |
Cumulative Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Northeast Elementary School | $16,424,781 | $16,917,525 | $16,917,525 |
| Off-Site Infrastructure Improvements, Utilities, Fees | $586,599 | $604,197 | $17,521,722 |
| College Park Elementary Replacement School | $17,011,381 | $17,521,722 | $35,043,444 |
| District-Wide Bldg Systems/ Infrastructure Improvements (Priority 1) | $16,952,074 | $17,460,637 | $52,504,081 |
| Blair Elementary Replacement School | $17,011,381 | $17,521,722 | $70,025,803 |
| Laney High Additions & Renovations | $10,558,788 | $10,875,552 | $80,901,355 |
| District-Wide Technology, Safety and Security Improvements (Priority 1) | $9,561,569 | $9,848,416 | $90,749,771 |
| Hoggard High Additions & Renovations | $16,424,781 | $16,917,525 | $107,667,296 |
| NHHS Geo. West Bldg C Renovations | $5,279,394 | $5,437,776 | $113,105,072 |
| Roland-Grise Middle Renovations | $11,660,898 | $12,010,725 | $125,115,797 |
| Noble Middle Renovations | $7,906,664 | $8,143,864 | $133,259,660 |
| Trask Middle Renovations | $9,901,100 | $10,198,133 | $143,457,794 |
| Myrtle Grove Middle Renovations | $8,727,903 | $8,989,740 | $152,447,534 |
| Wrightsville Beach Elementary Additions & Renovations | $7,332,492 | $7,552,466 | $160,000,000 |
| Total | $155,339,806 | $160,000,000 |
- Construction costs are based on recent state-wide school construction reported to NC Department of Public Instruction.
- All project costs are “turn-key”; and include planning, design, construction, and other soft costs.
- The new school and replacement schools include all furniture and instructional equipment.
- The program assumes 4% annual inflation through 2017 for all projects.
- The program includes 2% for in-house program management, and 1% as a program contingency.
Schedule
New school construction will be scheduled to allow use as “swing spaces” for school replacements, and additions and renovations at Wrightsville Beach Elementary School.
April 2019:
- Replacement - College Park Re-opens
August 2020: Opening/Re-opening with new population of students
- New - Porters Neck Elementary School
- Replacement - Blair Elementary School
- Renovated - Wrightsville Beach Elementary School
Phased in over 3-4 years:
- District-wide improvements for building systems, infrastructure, and technology
Phased in over 5 years:
- High School & Middle School – Additions & Renovations
The Projects
New Schools/Replacements
New School
Porters Neck Elementary School
A new 595 student elementary school proposed to be located in the northeastern part of the county. The Board of Education has approved the re-use of the prototype design of Castle Hayne Elementary for Porters Neck Elementary. The project includes all on-site improvements and amenities.
Off-Site Infrastructure Improvements, Utilities, Fees
Off-site infrastructure improvements, utilities, and associated fees for Porters Neck Elementary School including, but not limited to, roadway improvements, water and sewer extensions, stormwater improvements, and all associated impact fees, connection fees, and other associated fees.
Replacement Schools
College Park Elementary
Demolition of all existing structures and construction of a new 574 student elementary school to be built on the same site. The building will be designed to meet the current educational specifications adopted by the Board of Education, and includes all on-site improvements and amenities.
Blair Elementary
Demolition of all existing structures and construction of a new 574 student elementary school to be built on the same site. The Board of Education has approved the re-use of the prototype design of Snipes Academy of Arts and Design for Blair Elementary. The project includes all on-site improvements and amenities.
Additions/Renovations
Laney High School - Completed
Additions to include a new 1,600 seat main gymnasium with support facilities and a new media center. The current gymnasium will serve as the auxiliary gym, and the old media center will be renovated into classrooms to meet the current educational specifications adopted by the Board of Education. Site improvements for vehicular and pedestrian traffic flow, and for compliance with state stormwater requirements and local zoning ordinances.
Laney Renovations $10,558,788
Laney Renovations $10,558,788
Hoggard High School - Completed
Additions to include a new 1,600 seat main gymnasium with support facilities and expansion of the existing cafeteria/kitchen. The current gymnasium will serve as the auxiliary gym. The cafeteria/kitchen expansion is required to meet the needs of the current student population and will be designed to meet the educational specifications adopted by the Board of Education. Site improvements for vehicular and pedestrian traffic flow, and for compliance with state stormwater requirements and local zoning ordinances. Moderate renovations to the existing buildings (A-C) as defined below to address the building systems and infrastructure needs, and create an appropriate learning environment.
Hoggard Renovations $16,424,781
Hoggard Renovations $16,424,781
New Hanover High School - George West Building C Renovations - Completed
Moderate renovations to the existing building as defined below to address the building systems and infrastructure needs, and create an appropriate learning environment.
NHHS Renovations $5,729,394
Roland-Grise Middle School - Scheduled completion Aug 2019
Site improvements for vehicular and pedestrian traffic flow; improvements for compliance with state stormwater requirements and local zoning ordinances; and major renovations to the existing buildings (A-D) as defined below with limited demolition and reconfiguration of spaces to address the building systems and infrastructure needs, and create an appropriate learning environment. Roland-Grise Renovations $11,660,898
Noble Middle School - Scheduled completion Aug 2020
Site improvements for vehicular and pedestrian traffic flow; improvements for compliance with state stormwater requirements and local zoning ordinances; and major renovation to the existing building as defined below with limited demolition and reconfiguration of spaces to address the building systems and infrastructure needs, and create an appropriate learning environment. Noble Renovations $7,906,664
Trask Middle School - Scheduled completion Aug 2020
Site improvements for vehicular and pedestrian traffic flow; improvements for compliance with state stormwater requirements and local zoning ordinances; and major renovations to the existing building as defined below with limited demolition and reconfiguration of spaces to address the building systems and infrastructure needs, and create an appropriate learning environment. Trask Renovations $9,901,100
Myrtle Grove Middle School - Scheduled completion Aug 2019
Site improvements for vehicular and pedestrian traffic flow; improvements for compliance with state stormwater requirements and local zoning ordinances; and major renovations to the existing building as defined below with limited demolition and reconfiguration of spaces to address the building systems and infrastructure needs, and create an appropriate learning environment. Myrtle Grove Renovations $8,727,903
Wrightsville Beach Elementary - Scheduled Completion Aug 2020
An addition to include classrooms and various support spaces to eliminate temporary mobile units on site; expansion of the existing media center; site improvements for vehicular and pedestrian traffic flow; site improvements for compliance with state stormwater requirements and local zoning ordinances; and moderate renovations to the existing building as defined below to address the building systems and infrastructure needs, and create an appropriate learning environment.
As part of the 2010-2011 Facility Needs Survey, a comprehensive conditions assessment was conducted to determine the overall condition of our existing buildings and categorizes the renovation needs as follows:
Major Renovations: Extensive construction and/or repair work needed to create an appropriate learning environment and bring all of the existing building(s) and the site into compliance with current state and local building codes, ordinances and requirements; NCDPI Public School Facility Guidelines; and NHCS Educational Specifications. The specific work consists of: complete interior demolition of the building; interior reconfiguration of spaces; replacement of all major building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing); replacement of major building components (structure, roofing, windows, flooring, ceiling, lighting); extensive technology upgrades on a building-by-building basis; adding stormwater management; and adding pavement, landscaping and other site amenities.
Moderate Renovations: Selective construction and/or repair work to create an appropriate learning environment and bring most of the existing building(s) and the site into compliance with current state and local building codes, ordinances and requirements; NCDPI Public School Facility Guidelines; and NHCS Educational Specifications. The specific work consists of: select demolition within rooms of a building(s); repair and replacement of select major building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing); repair and replacement of select major building components (structure, roofing, windows, flooring, ceiling, lighting); technology upgrades on a room-by-room basis; repair and replacement to stormwater management; and repair and replacement to pavement, landscaping and other site amenities.
Minor Improvements: Selective repair work needed to upgrade some of the existing building(s) and the site into compliance with current state and local building codes, ordinances and requirements; NCDPI Public School Facility Guidelines; and NHCS Educational Specifications. The specific work consists of: no demolition work; repair of select major building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing); repair of select major building components (structure, roofing, windows, flooring, ceiling, lighting); adding minimal technology upgrades; repair of stormwater management; and repair of pavement, landscaping and other site amenities.
Major Renovations: Extensive construction and/or repair work needed to create an appropriate learning environment and bring all of the existing building(s) and the site into compliance with current state and local building codes, ordinances and requirements; NCDPI Public School Facility Guidelines; and NHCS Educational Specifications. The specific work consists of: complete interior demolition of the building; interior reconfiguration of spaces; replacement of all major building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing); replacement of major building components (structure, roofing, windows, flooring, ceiling, lighting); extensive technology upgrades on a building-by-building basis; adding stormwater management; and adding pavement, landscaping and other site amenities.
Moderate Renovations: Selective construction and/or repair work to create an appropriate learning environment and bring most of the existing building(s) and the site into compliance with current state and local building codes, ordinances and requirements; NCDPI Public School Facility Guidelines; and NHCS Educational Specifications. The specific work consists of: select demolition within rooms of a building(s); repair and replacement of select major building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing); repair and replacement of select major building components (structure, roofing, windows, flooring, ceiling, lighting); technology upgrades on a room-by-room basis; repair and replacement to stormwater management; and repair and replacement to pavement, landscaping and other site amenities.
Minor Improvements: Selective repair work needed to upgrade some of the existing building(s) and the site into compliance with current state and local building codes, ordinances and requirements; NCDPI Public School Facility Guidelines; and NHCS Educational Specifications. The specific work consists of: no demolition work; repair of select major building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing); repair of select major building components (structure, roofing, windows, flooring, ceiling, lighting); adding minimal technology upgrades; repair of stormwater management; and repair of pavement, landscaping and other site amenities.
District Wide Upgrade
Technology/Safety and Security Improvements
Upgrade network switches and routers across the county so that all equipment meets a 1Gbps standard. Install security camera systems at all schools and admin buildings that do not currently have systems. Increase cameras at Williston, Ashley, and New Hanover. Install voice over IP (VoIP) core equipment so that schools can be brought over to VoIP gradually. Tech Safety Upgrades $9,561,569
Building Systems and Infrastructure Improvements
Roof replacements for 2013-2017 in accordance with the District’s Roof Management Plan; removal of carpet, asbestos abatement and replacement with vinyl composition tile (VCT) at the highest priority schools remaining based on the District’s Carpet Replacement Schedule and periodic surveillance and inspection of asbestos containing materials within the schools; HVAC, Boiler, and DDC control upgrades and improvements at various schools; and HVAC and DDC control upgrades and improvements at various schools; and HVAC and DDC control replacement at Bradley Creek and Johnson Elementary Schools.
